Training & Workshops
We offer issues-focussed training to private refugee sponsors that they identify as critical to their settlement of newcomers. These are free, two-hour, online workshops to address issues such as cultural impact, housing, healthcare, education, employment strategies, language training, financial planning as well as child protection, mental health issues and more.
All workshops run from 10:00 am – 12:00 noon on a Saturday with an opportunity to connect and learn through formal training followed by joining a breakout room at the conclusion of the event. To register for our events, watch for our flyers and send us an email at info@refugeesponsornet.ca.
May 10, 2025
Practical Ideas for Housing Searches
- Addressing the affordable housing challenges in identifying appropriate accommodation for a newcomer family for 12 months
- Identifying ideas such community mapping, community real estate agent assistance, assistance from municipalities
- Negotiating leases
September 20, 2025
Settlement Crisis – to provide sponsors with tools to manage situations and protect the lives of those they sponsor
- Addressing the implications of settlement crisis: sponsor role
- Identifying the crises: family dysfunction, domestic violence, child welfare, injury, housing issues that may involve police
- How to handle issues, how to get help, how to protect the sponsored family
November 8, 2025
Sustaining Sponsorship: A Changing Landscape
- How the landscape has changed since 2016 based on research by Jennifer Hyndman, York University, barriers to repeat sponsorships, recruitment targets
- Importance of training: RSTP – pre-arrival training and importance of a settlement plan; PRSN – post arrival training around lived experience
- How to keep people engaged during long processing delays, motivation, best practice, recruitment and teambuilding
Lunch & Learns
Sponsors possess considerable knowledge from work and lived experience. Together, in discussion, they address issues and problems sponsor groups face in working toward best practice. With the help of a resource person and a moderator, they get to the heart of the challenge and offer each other practical solutions in an online, one-hour discussion where they quickly gain new knowledge or confirm they are on the right track in their decision-making.
To register for a Lunch & Learn, from 12 noon – 1:00 pm, on a Wednesday, watch for our flyers and send us an email to info@refugeesponsornet.ca.
June 18, 2025
Settlement Technology – to provide information about available technology to support refugee settlement
- Understanding new tools to help in settlement
- Using google translate, google classroom, online banking, AI
- Providing information on apps like the TTC planner for use in local transportation
October 15, 2025
Road to Citizenship – to provide an approach to safe conversation about the process
- Identification of barriers and incentives
- Opening the conversation around permanent resident to citizen
- Accessing educational resources to assist newcomers in preparing